American Homeless Veterans Launches Bingo.

News Editors/Lifestyle Editors

PIEDMONT, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2004

American Homeless Veterans, a 501-C3 charity benefiting the American Homeless Veterans, announces today that it's on target to launch the American favorite participating game "Bingo" at the Bingo Palace in Piedmont, Alabama (formally the Frontier Palace) an 80,000-sq. ft. hi-tech bingo facility. Doors will open on March 26th at 5:30 PM and March 27th at 2:00 PM and will continue to open each Friday and Saturday thereafter, with special games on the first of each month and holidays. Each player will have a chance to win a separate prize package for each game.

About American Homeless Veterans

There is a homeless problem in the United States, as well as in the world and it will not go away. In fact, it is getting much worse every year. One of the reasons this is not a popular topic to talk about is that we live in the "greatest country in the world," and we have tens of thousands of men, women, and children wandering our streets

with no place to call home. This is a national tragedy. This is not a Republican or a Democratic problem. This is not someone else's problem. This is America's problem, and we must find a way to solve it.

There is no stereotypical homeless person. The homeless are men and women; they are children of all ages -- of every race and ethnicity. They are mothers and fathers; they are sons and daughters. The homeless are citizens of this country and members of the community. This diversity proves to be a challenge as each person poses new and unique barriers to sustained economic independence.

DEMOGRAPHICS 

There are 3.5 Million Homeless in America; Approximately 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise only 34% of the general adult male population. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that on any given night, 500,000 veterans are homeless, (CNN, 2004).

Despite the overrepresentation of veterans in the homeless population, homelessness among veterans is not clearly related to combat military experience. Rather, studies show that homeless veterans appear less likely to have served in combat than housed veterans (Rosenheck, 1996).

Homeless veterans are more likely to be white, better educated, and previously or currently married than homeless non-veterans, (Rosenheck, 1996).

    --  46% have chronic health problems

    --  57% suffer from mental health problems

    --  60% suffer from drug/alcohol addiction

    --  47% suffer from a dual diagnosis

    --  55% have no health insurance

    --  40% are families
    According to Homes For The Homeless, families account for 38% of
    America's homeless.

    --  22% report having been physically abused by a household member
        before the age of 18
    According to the Ford Foundation, nearly fifty percent of all
    homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence.

    --  60% are homeless for the first time

    --  14% are single women

    --  1.3 Million are children

"We had a very hard time with the political issues related to bingo in Calhoun County and the amount of money it has cost just to get this operation in place in order to have fund raising ability to assist the Homeless Veterans, the City of Piedmont, and the local economy. It's our goal to make a difference by providing a clean and enjoyable environment for the bingo community to assist us in our commitment to support the Homeless Veteran. We are continuing to seek innovative ways in other locations that will assist us in our commitments to meet the demand of this fast growing problem. We are asking everyone to support our cause by making a donation or visit our facilities and play bingo. The Bingo Palace doors will open at 5:30 PM March 26, with bingo players participating in fun games with restaurant and gift shop facilities," stated Mrs. Shirley Davidson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the America Homeless Veterans. Future plans will be the implementation of a donation program of automobiles, boats, property, and other items to be publicly auctioned at the facility for the benefit of the Homeless Veteran program.

The mission of the American Homeless Veteran Program is to identify and provide each veteran with the proper health care both physically and mentally.

About the American Homeless Veterans Organization

Founded in Anniston, Alabama, October 1999, American Homeless Veterans, Inc. (a 501-C3 Charity) has been assisting the Homeless Veterans (to date approximately $300,000) providing transportation, medical, housing, clothing, meals, money and other items necessary for day-to-day survival. Our main goals are to provide housing and assist each veteran in securing long-term housing and addressing the basic needs such as clothing, food, and income to help restore their self-esteem. Our first priority is to secure safe clean housing that is free of drugs and alcohol in a supportive environment. Many homeless veterans become homeless while wading through the endless red tape associated with filing and receiving the benefits they have earned. Many get discouraged because of the time it takes to file and re-file claims and just give up. It is the goal of American Homeless Veterans to assist these veterans in getting any benefits they have earned, and give them assistance in job assessment, training, and placement. We will give each and every homeless veteran our undivided attention.

Not only are we working hard and pursuing bingo to assist American Homeless Veterans, we need your support to obtain our goals. Your donations to the American Homeless Veterans Association would be used to comply with our mission. Please help us help those who were willing to give their lives to ensure we have the freedom we enjoy today.

For additional information, visit www.bingonut.com or call Mrs. Shirley Davidson at 866-446-1227.

Web Site: http://www.bingonut.com